The disciples of Jesus Christ must have gone through an emotionally traumatic experience following the abrupt and brutal death of their beloved Messiah. After spending years in close companionship with Him, witnessing miracles, sharing meals, and building deep bonds, His sudden departure must have left them in deep sorrow and confusion.
The death of Jesus was not just the loss of a teacher; it was the end of a dream they had all believed in. One can only imagine the depth of their pain and the immense burden of trying to understand and come to terms with what had just occurred. It was a moment that demanded closure – the emotional resolution allowing them to accept the new reality and begin moving forward.
In our own lives, we encounter similar moments of loss and heartbreak. We might be dismissed from a job we cherished, walk away from a relationship we once thought would last forever, face the trauma of divorce, or mourn the death of a loved one. These are not just experiences; they are upheavals that shake the very foundation of our emotional worlds. In such times, we, too, require closure. We need that internal turning point that helps us let go, heal, and start afresh. Yet, often, we are left to navigate the chaos without a clear roadmap. We are not always given answers or apologies. Sometimes, closure does not come from outside but must be cultivated from within.
Closure remains one of the most overlooked yet essential steps in processing loss. Whether it’s the end of a romantic bond, the fading of a friendship, estrangement from family, or the sting of grief, closure allows us to breathe again. It gives us space to sort through our emotions, acknowledge what has happened, and discover a path forward. It is not merely about ending a chapter but creating the emotional conditions necessary for healing and growth. When we reflect on the Easter story and all it represents – sacrifice, suffering, redemption, and renewal – we are reminded that closure is not a final stop but a sacred shift toward transformation.
At the core of the Easter narrative lies an experience of profound closure. Jesus’ crucifixion brought devastation and uncertainty to His followers. What they thought was a triumphant mission suddenly turned into sorrow and despair. Their leader had been taken, mocked, tortured, and killed. Everything they had come to rely on had collapsed in a single, excruciating event. Closure for them was not immediate. It took time, presence, and the reappearing of Christ to slowly bring them back from the edge of hopelessness. The post-resurrection encounters were gentle steps toward healing, each appearance and word offering clarity and renewed purpose.
This mirrors our own journey after loss. Sometimes, what ends does so without explanation. We are left to wrestle with silence where we expected dialogue, with absence where we hoped for presence. Questions swirl in our minds: Why did this happen? Was it my fault? What could I have done differently? Such unanswered questions trap us in a cycle of confusion and regret. The lack of closure becomes a heavy load, hindering our ability to step confidently into the future.
Closure matters because it restores our sense of dignity and understanding. It helps us frame our loss not as a failure but as part of life’s natural ebb and flow. Just as Jesus’ resurrection redefined the tragedy of His death, closure helps us reinterpret our pain, granting us peace without pretending the hurt never existed. It allows us to part ways with what has ended while preserving what was meaningful about it. In doing so, we shift from bitterness to gratitude, resentment to reflection, despair to hope.
However, closure is not always about someone else giving us answers. Much like Mary Magdalene at the tomb, who did not receive a direct explanation but found solace in Jesus’ presence and voice, we must sometimes seek closure inwardly. We do this through reflection, writing letters we may never send, allowing ourselves to mourn without shame, and gently releasing the questions we may never resolve. Internal closure is the most powerful kind – the kind that empowers us to move forward without waiting for someone else’s validation or remorse.
The Easter story also teaches us the necessity of release. Before the resurrection could occur, Jesus had to surrender – His anguish in Gethsemane, His physical life on the cross, His connection to the earthly realm. Similarly, we must learn to release what no longer serves us: the pain, the bitterness, the need for revenge, and the illusion of control. Holding on to emotional baggage stunts our growth and blocks our renewal. Closure is not giving up; it is letting go. It is having the faith to believe that the end of one story makes space for another, more beautiful one to begin.
In our current world, where conversations are ended by unread messages, people disappear without explanation, and emotional honesty is often avoided, the hunger for true closure is greater than ever. The resurrection reminds us that restoration is possible even after betrayal, hurt, and death. But it requires us to face what is lost honestly, to mourn it fully, and to extend forgiveness. Forgiveness – to others and ourselves – is the ultimate act of closure. It is what sets our hearts and our futures free.
This Easter season, as the earth blossoms with signs of new life, may we also embrace the renewal that comes with emotional release. Let us find the courage to confront the past, bless the pain, and move forward not in denial but in hope. Closure is not forgetting; it is remembering with grace. It is not erasing; it is rising. And just as the stone was rolled away from Christ’s tomb, we can also roll away the burdens that keep us from healing. Closure is the moving away. Easter is the rising anew.
By Kamomonti wa Kiambati
Kamomonti teaches English and Literature in Gatundu North Sub County.
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